5 Reasons Juventus Can Overcome Serie A Gambling Scandal and Retain Scudetto

Two weeks ago Juventus faced the tricky situation of whether to support their coach, who had just been banned for 10 months for his part in the Calcio Scommesse scandal, or to search for a new man to take over, as to ensure the squad could reach its potential.

The Bianconeri honourably opted for the former, placing Massimo Carrera in charge for the foreseeable future while the club submits its appeal. A risky strategy when you consider that Carrera has absolutely no experience managing a first team.

The revelation that Conte can train the team during the ban has softened the burdon that will be placed on Carrera. Nonetheless when the games arrive, there will be no help when a red card suddenly changes the original plan or an unexpected injury forces a substitution.

Yes, these will be decisions that face Carrera and the main obstacle to Juve retaining their title, but there is plenty more for Juventini to be optimistic about, including the prospect of consecutive titles. Here are five reasons I believe it will happen.

A Stronger Squad

Juve will be more confident of repeating as champions due to the significant investment made in the transfer market this summer.

The Bianconeri decided to buy the remaining rights for Sebastian Giovinco, who was absolutely awesome for Parma last season, netting 15 goals and assisting 16 more.

It seems like Antonio Conte has settled upon the 3-5-2 formation, which will be implemented even if the Mister's ban is upheld.

Mauricio Isla looks like he can upgrade the right side and provide stiff competition for Stephan Lichsteiner, or continue being deployed in his new role in the middle, after Francesco Guidolin cleverly altered the Chilean's role for Udinese last season.

Kwadwo Asamoah will also provide cover in the middle, as well as the possibility of a more attack-minded option on the left compared to Paolo De Ceglie.

Overall, we can expect the added games from the Champions League to have a smaller effect than was originally expected.

Rivals Fail to Strengthen

Juve's biggest threat to the title is Milan, who look much weaker compared to last season, whereas the Bianconeri should be a little stronger, despite Antonio Conte's likely ban, due to the excellent signings.

The Rossoneri sold Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who will both be very difficult to replace. Francesco Acerbi and the impending arrival of Giampaolo Pazzini are not adequate replacements to suggest Milan can challenge like they did last season.

Inter's new project looks promising, but even Andrea Stramaccioni would admit that the title is beyond his wildest dreams.

Udinese sold their best players, as usual, and will therefore not be a factor, and Roma's new era under Zdenek Zeman will not be ready for a Scudetto challenge for some time.

Evidently, Juve will not be worried by their rivals closing the gap on them, regardless of who their manager will be throughout the campaign.

Juventus Stadium Will Continue to Develop in to a Fortress

Juventus enter their second season in their new stadium, the Juventus Stadium, unbeaten of course, after last season.

Despite being unbeaten, Juve dropped 12 points last season, with several poor performances against weaker sides who frustrated the Bianconeri with negative tactics.

It is scary for the others to consider that Juve will surely improve their home form.

The fans will be familiar with the surroundings now, and will begin to create their own identity and atmosphere, which will obviously help the team more.

Potentially More Signings to Come

Juventus could be further boosted for the new season by signing another striker before the deadline.

Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente is close to agreeing a €20 million move, according to goal.com.

The Bianconeri have potentially held back these funds until now, after waiting for Leonardo Bonucci to be cleared of his charges in the calcio scommesse scandal.

At one point, it was reported that Bonucci could be handed a three-and-a-half year ban, which would obviously have changed Juve's transfer targets.

With the addition of Llorente, Juve seem to have covered all bases and are ready to retain their title.

Staunch Support from the Juve Hierarchy for Carrera

Massimo Carrera might be a novice at this level, which could be seen as a major weakness for the Bianconeri not only when the tactics need to be altered mid-game, but the need to command respect from this group of champions.

Juve's patron, John Elkann, reacted angrily to comments made by Roma's new manager Zdenek Zeman, who expressed his desire for a more severe punishment for Antonio Conte.

Elkman's response was to mention the lack of trophies that the Giallorossi manager has won in his career, stating, “the interesting thing is that Carrera in one match has won more than Zeman has in a career.”

Such a public show of faith towards Carrera is a positive sign that the caretaker manager will continue in his role even if Conte's appeal fails.

The knock-on effect will be that the players should acknowledge this too and respect Carrera's authority despite his lack of credentials, especially with Conte backing his assistant in the eventuality he cannot resume his duties at the matches.